Cognitive Effects in Midlife of Long-Term Cannabis Use

At the moment, 37 states in the United States have passed medical legislation cannabis 21 states have legalized recreational use of cannabis. Cannabis has been proven to be beneficial for many conditions, including childhood seizure disorders, nauseaPeople with HIV/AIDs may experience nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.

Marketing that promotes cannabis has helped to create a new crop of cannabis products. Multibillion-dollar Industry. The average content of THC (tetra-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive and potentially addictive chemical in cannabis) in smoked whole-plant products The price of oil has gone up from one percent to four percent in the 1970s to 15 percent to 30 percent from today’s cannabis dispensaries. Vapes and edibles could contain higher levels of THC.

The public’s belief that cannabis is harmless is growing. However, long-term effects and risks from cannabis use are still unknown. Research has shown that long-term heavy cannabis use can affect midlife cognition.

New Research on Cannabis Use and Cognition during Midlife

Recent research The American Journal of Psychiatry published a study that closely followed almost 1,000 people in New Zealand between the ages of 3 and 45. The aim was to determine how cannabis use affects brain function. The study team found impairments across multiple domains of cognition in those who had been using cannabis long-term (for many years or more) and heavy (at most, four times per week)

Long-term cannabis users’ IQs declined by 5.5 points on average from childhood, and there were deficits in learning and processing speed compared to people that did not use cannabis. Evidence suggests that cannabis may have contributed to cognitive impairment.

People who had known these long-term cannabis users for a while noticed that they were having memory and attention issues. These findings were consistent even after the authors adjusted for factors like childhood socioeconomic status or baseline childhood intelligence.

Cognitive impairment was more severe than with alcohol and tobacco. Long-term cannabis smokers also had smaller hippocampi, which is the part of the brain that controls learning and memory. It was interesting to note that individuals who used cannabis less frequently than once per week and had no history of developing dependence were not at risk for cannabis-related cognitive impairments. This suggests that there are many recreational uses of cannabis that don’t cause long-term cognitive impairments.

More Research is Needed about Cannabis Use and Brain Health

This is only one example of many studies that suggest a link between long term heavy cannabis use and cognitive impairment. Future studies will be needed to prove causation, and examine how long-term cannabis use may impact the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Midlife cognitive impairment is associated higher with dementia.

What should you do if you experience cognitive effects from cannabis?

People who use cannabis for a long time may experience brain fog, low motivation, learning difficulties, and difficulty paying attention. These symptoms are usually reversible if you use products with higher THC. Increased risk of developing cognitive symptoms.

These are the things to consider if you’re experiencing cannabis-related cognitive symptoms.

• Slow taper is a good idea. Gradually reduce the potency (THC) of cannabis that you use, or how frequently it is used over several weeks. If you have had a history with cannabis withdrawal.
• Talk to your doctor. Talk to your doctor about your cognitive symptoms. Other medical and psychiatric factors could also be involved. Other supportive methods can also be used by your doctor to assist you in navigating a cannabis taper. Unfortunately, Most patients don’t feel comfortable Talking to their doctors about cannabis.
• Give it some time. It can take up to a whole month for you to notice improvements after decreasing your dosage. Because cannabis can stay in your body for as much as two to four more weeks, it may take a while before you see any noticeable changes.
• Use objective cognitive tracking. You can use an app to Objective test A mini-mental status exam that tracks brain function can be more accurate than self examination. You may be able get help from your mental health provider to administer intermittent cognitive assessments.
• You might consider other strategies. Brain function does not depend on eye color or how many toes we have. Aerobic exercise Mindfulness, meditation, and therapy can all improve long-term cognition.

Cannabis is a hot topic, but it has also been controversial. This has sparked both enthusiasm and skepticism. Individuals and healthcare professionals should focus on scientific research, not speculation or personal stories. There are emerging studies that suggest a link between long-term heavy cannabis consumption and neurocognition. This should concern policymakers, providers, patients, and healthcare professionals.

Kevin Hill M.D. is MHS and Michael Hsu M.D. are guest contributors to Harvard Health Publications.

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